Less Catholics among Hispanics

NEW YORK — Latinos in the United States are abandoning the Roman Catholicism of their childhood in increasing numbers to become evangelical Protestants or leave organized religion altogether, according to a new survey.

Only 55 percent of the nation’s Latinos consider themselves Catholic, a 12 percentage point drop since 2010.

Of those who remain in the Church, slightly more said they could imagine leaving than they have in previous years. At the same time, the share of Hispanic evangelicals rose from 12 percent to 16 percent, while Latinos with no religious affiliation increased from 10 percent to 18 percent.